Manoj Bajpai moots film city in Bihar

Expressing pleasure over resurgence of Bihar in recent years, noted film actor Manoj Bajpai today said the state should have a film city like those in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to help the state emerge as a film destination.

"Senior actor Shatrughan Sinha and myself are ready to contribute in developing Bihar as a major destination of film like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and others," Bajpai told reporters after attending a function of local Patliputra Film and TV Institute here.

Asked if he was feeling bad that state artistes like him and others have not been made part of the Bihar Divas, Bajpai of Shool, Gang of Vasepur and Arakshan fame, said this question should be asked to the state government.

Bollywood stars like Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik and Daler Mehndi have been invited for the cultural programmes on the anniversary of Bihar's foundation day. The issue of neglect of regional artistes cropped up in Legislative Assembly also by actor-legislator Vinay Bihari.

"For me my home state Bihar holds a special place and I have always tried to associate myself with it," he said.

On Supreme Court judgement on Sanjay Dutt in Mumbai blast case, Bajpai said it was painful for him and Bollywood actors.

Bajpai hailed the new trend in the Hindi film in which stories related to small town and villages were appreciated by movie watchers in cinema like Dabaang and Gang of Vashepur.

"Moviegoers are associating themselves with such theme and that is why such films are a big hit," Bajpai, who hails from a small village in West Champaran district bordering Nepal, said.

He said Bhojpuri films had great future.

Asked if he was feeling bad that he had not been chosen in a coming Bhojpuri film in which Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya Prada, RJD President Lalu Prasad and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh are playing roles, Bajpai said "Bhojpuri is my dialect...but what can I do if the film maker did not find me fit for a role in the movie."